Remember that book called THE BLOODIEST QUEEN? That became THE MEDICI QUEEN when it was pointed out that my UK and Australian readers would guffaw at the "Bloodiest" bit?
Well, after much deliberation, I came up with another title with a bit more pizzazz than THE MEDICI QUEEN -- one which shows Catherine's deep involvement with evil forces. The result?
THE DEVIL'S QUEEN. It'll be out spring/summer 2009, and I'll give an update as soon as I know the month.
P.S. That, plus I've heard my dear friend John Allen is running for President. I'm anxiously awaiting his text message to learn which lucky soul he's chosen as his running mate.
Comments (17)
Whatever the title, can't wait for the Medici book!!!
We all support you!
ellen george
Posted by ellen george | August 25, 2008 10:15 AM
Posted on August 25, 2008 10:15
Perfect. Any word on US publication date?
Posted by Helen Knight | August 25, 2008 1:26 PM
Posted on August 25, 2008 13:26
Thanks so much, Ellen.
Helen, It's going to be spring/summer 2009. My editor, Charlie, says that could be anywhere from April to August, but he promises to let me know the month as soon as they look at the schedule. They like to figure out what else is coming out from other publishers, so that my book isn't published at the same time as one of my "competitors'."
Posted by Jeanne Kalogridis | August 25, 2008 5:16 PM
Posted on August 25, 2008 17:16
I just discovered your books about 6 months ago and devoured all of them. I cannot wait until your next one comes out!
Posted by Sue Owens | August 25, 2008 6:26 PM
Posted on August 25, 2008 18:26
I look forward to another book! And I do like that title much better than the other one!
Posted by Kailana | August 26, 2008 2:19 AM
Posted on August 26, 2008 02:19
Sue -- You make me blush. I'm so glad you enjoyed the books. I'm hard at work on another one today. (I'll try to work a little faster.)
Hi, Kailana, nice to hear from you again. I'm with you on the title; I'm much happier.
Jeanne
Posted by Jeanne Kalogridis | August 26, 2008 6:47 AM
Posted on August 26, 2008 06:47
I will eagerly await your new book too! Catherine is such a rich character for a novel! She really was a lynch pin of her time, and had a great knack for pulling all strings of the political movers and shakers of her time.
Posted by Amanda Nellist | August 26, 2008 9:03 PM
Posted on August 26, 2008 21:03
Thanks, Amanda. Yes, Catherine was an amazing character... and there was so much I had to leave untold. I wound up cutting over 300 pages from the manuscript to meet my word count -- and I could easily have written 500 pages more.
Jeanne
Posted by Jeanne Kalogridis | August 27, 2008 6:47 AM
Posted on August 27, 2008 06:47
Congrats on the better title for your novel, my friend.
As for Jeanne's P.S. I wouldn't want to clog up anyone's text message boxes, but it looks like there will be a "Clinton" on my ticket. :-)
Posted by John Allen | August 27, 2008 6:57 AM
Posted on August 27, 2008 06:57
I am a huge fan and anxiously awaiting the new book. whatever the title i'm sure it will be a page turner just like the rest. The way you mingle historical fact with historicle fiction is great, and i will continue to be a fan until you decide to do like a few other great novelists and turn to romance lol
Posted by Chaice | October 1, 2008 9:48 AM
Posted on October 1, 2008 09:48
Chaice,
Aw, shucks. Thanks for the kind words. As for romance: I have a pretty dark streak in me; horror is more my bag.
Jeanne
Posted by Jeanne Kalogridis | October 1, 2008 11:27 AM
Posted on October 1, 2008 11:27
Jeanne,
I have read all of your historical fictions and truth be told, it was I, Mona Lisa that turned me to the genre. I have been waiting anxiously for your next book and I am sure that I am not alone in thinking that I would have really liked to see your books in their original entirity. Even when reading I, Mona Lisa, which is now my favorite book, I felt that there was more to the story that wasn't told. I think that the publishers underestimate the intelligence and determination of most readers. Look at Pillars of the Earth, it was almost 1000 pages and it has been a staple in american fiction for almost 20 years.
Anyways, Keep on going and I can't wait for any of your future books!
Rebecca
Posted by Rebecca | October 8, 2008 9:41 PM
Posted on October 8, 2008 21:41
Jeanne,
When you find out the publication date, can you post on here how soon we can preorder it? I must have it shipped to my house directly upon release so I can instantly devour it. My friend and I are huge historical fiction fans and we love your books! She is obsessed with the Tudors and rarely ventures far from Phillipa Gregory, but she puts you on par with Gregory. Huge compliment from her, believe me. So excited about "The Devil's Queen!" (Great title!)
Sarah
Posted by Sarah Eshelman | October 12, 2008 5:04 AM
Posted on October 12, 2008 05:04
Sarah,
My editor has promised to call me next week with the date.
I'm thrilled to hear you enjoy the books -- tell your friend I'm honored!
Jeanne
Posted by Jeanne Kalogridis | October 12, 2008 5:21 AM
Posted on October 12, 2008 05:21
Rebecca,
I appreciate your comment about the length of a book. True, there's always a way to trim a sentence and get rid of redundancy. But quite a bit of story needed to be trimmed from THE DEVIL'S QUEEN. It was my fault, though, not the publisher's -- I went over the agreed-upon word count. (Not that I meant to.)
Jeanne
Posted by Jeanne Kalogridis | October 12, 2008 5:26 AM
Posted on October 12, 2008 05:26
Dear Jeanne,
I am a long-time fan of your work. "The Borgia Bride" made me discover a whole new era of history that has me completely entranced by now. Since I work in publishing, I can count myself amongst the few lucky ones who have had the pleasure of reading your new book. You have done a wonderful job - the story is rich and dark, full of interesting historical facts that made me spend hours in Wikipedia looking them up :) I have one question though. Why did you erase other children Catherine had? It confused me a little because you are usually very thorough when it comes to keeping with the historical facts. But otherwise - thank you for the pure fun I had while reading your book!
Lena
Posted by Lena | October 17, 2008 4:56 AM
Posted on October 17, 2008 04:56
Lena,
I'm so tickled and flattered by your post -- thank you so much!
I in fact also "erased" children that Lisa Gherardini had. I didn't like not being scrupulously factual -- but my editor and I both agreed that the story suffered and lost focus with the other children included.
As for Catherine's story: The 160,000 or so words that you read of THE DEVIL'S QUEEN was whittled from a manuscript of approximately 275,000 words. I should have realized when I began the book that I had enough material for two. That said, I did everything possible to save as many Catherine's children as possible when I made the cuts. :)
Jeanne
Posted by Jeanne Kalogridis | October 17, 2008 8:19 AM
Posted on October 17, 2008 08:19